Often, cavities occur in teeth that aren’t immediately visible to the people around you. In those cases, your dentist may be able to fill those cavities with a filling made of gold or a metal amalgam. But a cavity on a front tooth, or worse yet, on the front of a front tooth? That calls for something else.
Enter composite fillings. Also known as tooth-colored fillings, composites have become popular for two reasons. First they bond directly with the surface of the tooth. Second, the composite, which is a blend of powdered glass and acrylic resin can be shaded so that is blends in with the rest of your tooth, making it practically invisible to other people.
After the dentist has removed the tooth decay, he will apply the composite in layers. This will take some time, since each layer must be cured before the next one can be applied. This also makes the composite weaker than other fillings, and so composites are usually used for teeth that have smaller cavities, are visible to other people, and do not receive much pressure from chewing or biting. When the last layer has been cured, the dentist will polish the filling. this will help it to blend in with your tooth, and to become stain-resistant. But your composite can still be stained over time by what you eat and drink, so you should plan your future menus with that time mind. Like all other fillings, your composite will eventually need to be replaced. In the meantime, you need to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and see your dentist for your routine appointments.
If you have a tooth that needs some attention and you would like to find out if a composite filling is right for you, you can see our dentist, Dr. Aaron Wilkins at Stones Crossing Dentistry in Greenwood, Indiana for an exam. To make an appointment, call 317.535.3940 today.
